NTSB: Broken Rail Likely Caused Columbus Train Explosion

Federal investigators have determined a broken rail probably caused a 2012 train derailment and explosion that damaged a bus depot and led to home evacuations near the Ohio State Fairgrounds. A report adopted this week by the National Transportation Safety Board concludes the broken rail was the probable cause of the Norfolk Southern train's derailment a little north of downtown Columbus on July 11, 2012. About 100 residents were evacuated and two people were injured. One of the 17 cars that derailed punctured and spilled ethanol that fueled a huge fire. The report says two other cars holding ethanol went up in flames and exploded. The report estimated damage totaling $1.2 million. Norfolk Southern spokesman Dave Pidgeon declined to comment on the report.